The Best Barbecue Festivals In America
Food, fun, music, and booze — bring it on.
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No matter what your barbecue preferences, there's a festival for you. These are the ones to look forward to most in 2018, from South Carolina to Washington state.
Texas Monthly MeatUp
June 9, 2018
For less than $70, visitors can taste BBQ from the top 50 BBQ joints in Texas, as voted on by Texas Monthly. The San Antonio, TX event celebrates the best in barbecue with lots of food, cold beer, hand-crafted cocktails, and live music.
Big Apple Barbecue Block Party
June 9-10, 2018
Manhattan may not be at the top of your mind when it comes to BBQ, but this is a festival you won't want to miss out on. Head over to Madison Square Park to find the country's top pitmasters serving up their specialities. It's guaranteed to be the most over-the-top block party you've ever been to.
W.C. Handy Barbecue
June 13-16, 2018
This free (!) festival in Henderson, KY is one of the largest blues music events in the country. Though it's run by the Henderson Music Preservation Society and the majority of the festival is focused on the music, opening day features the "Taste of Henderson Barbecue," with local vendors serving barbecue, red beans, rice, and more. A pig roast and BBQ competition gives attendees a chance to taste some amazing eats prepared by local teams while enjoying the outdoors and the sounds of the blues. Another highlight: Zydeco night, where attendees can enjoy this distinctive style of music, plus authentic Cajun cuisine.
Giant National BBQ Championship
June 23-24, 2018
Washington, D.C., may not be the first place you think of when you think of barbecue — but what better place to enjoy this classic American cuisine than in the country's capitol? The Battle attracts vendors, chefs, and competitors from all across the country who go head-to-head for a chance to become the Grand Champion of the Giant Barbecue Battle. Attendees enjoy tastings, demonstrations by chefs and cookbook authors, and live musical entertainment.
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The Lake Placid, NY I Love Barbecue Festival
July 6-8, 2018
There's no better time to celebrate all-American barbecue than during an all-American holiday like the Fourth of July. The festival includes tons of entertainment, like live bands and a motorcycle parade, as well as the main event, a KCBS sanctioned barbecue competition.
Wine Country Big Q
July 7, 2018
This Petaluma, CA competition has something for everyone. Located in the Sonoma wine region, guests can sip world class wines, award-winning beer, craft cider and spirits while eating Kansas City style barbecue Over $9,000 in cash and prizes is handed out, with fun competitions like Bakin' for Bacon and a Bold Bean Challenge.
South Sound BBQ Festival
July 7, 2018
Pacific Northwesterners can get their barbecue fix this summer at the South Sound BBQ Festival in Lacey, WA. Admission and parking are free, and the event features a beer and wine garden, plenty of food vendors, a professional cook-off, and eating contests. Eat all the slow-cooked barbecue your heart desires at the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association-hosted festival.
Festival of Discovery
July 12-14, 2018
Carolinians take their BBQ very seriously, so what better place to spend a weekend than Greenwood, SC. This summer celebrates the event's 18th year, and brings together BBQ, live music, beer and wine. On Saturday, participate in (or watch) the hot dog eating contest — last year's winner ate 25, so come hungry.
Russian River Beer Revival & BBQ Cook Off
August 18, 2018
Back for its 16th year, the Russian River Beer Revival and BBQ Cookoff brings together 35 BBQ teams, 40+ breweries, and live music on the banks of the Russian River in Monte Rio, CA. With a ticket ($75 for regular admission, $100 for VIP), entrants can enjoy beer and cider tastings from 1-5 p.m., live music till 6 p.m., and BBQ tastings all day. Tickets go on sale June 1st, and they nearly always sell out, so plan ahead!
Kentucky State BBQ Festival
September 7-9, 2018
This event, located in quaint Danville, KY, is upping its competitive streak with three events to enter this year – there's the One Bite Competition, the Great Steak Competition, and the Backyard BBQ Competition. If you prefer the eating side of BBQ festivals, you can always partake in the Bean Eating Competition.
The American Royal World Series of Barbecue
September 13-16, 2018
If you want to do barbecue right, head on over to Kansas City for the American Royal World Series of Barbecue. As the name suggests, it's the world's largest barbecue competition with 500+ teams and more than 50,000 spectators. So you know this is legit.
Jack Daniel's World Championship Barbecue Invitational
October 2018
Looking for a classic barbecue cook-off to hit this year? Look no further than the Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue. This event allows competitors to test their skills in seven different categories: pork ribs, pork shoulder/butts, beef brisket, chicken, dessert, cook's choice, and Jack Daniel's sauce. The Grand Champion wins $10,000 in cash. Aside from the barbecue, other attractions include live music and clogging performances (the traditional dance of the Appalachian region!). Check the website soon for an official date to this year's festivities.
The Barbecue Festival
October 27, 2018
Over 400 exhibitors show up at the barbecue capital of the world, Lexington, NC, for their annual festival. The event boasts six entertainment stages, three barbecue tents, arts and crafts, music, and more.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest
February 21-February 23, 2019
This contest is for serious barbecue connoisseurs. Around since 1974, the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest in Houston is a three-day long event that also includes live music and dancing. More than 250 teams compete, and visitors are treated to a free plate of brisket, chips, and beans.
Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival
If you're looking for a festival that's been around for a few years with tons of different locations, vendors, food, drinks, and music — this is the event for you. Because of the focus on alcoholic beverages AND barbecue, it's definitely an adults-only option. With festivals taking place from Manhattan, NY, to Nashville, TN, and Charlotte, NC (and many places in between), barbecue lovers throughout the South and up and down the East Coast can find an event close by. Attendees can listen to a mix of bluegrass, country, and rock music while noshing on whole-roasted hog, pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and more, and sipping samples of bourbon and craft beers. Unlimited beverage samples are included with admission (prices vary according to location). For a full schedule and ticket information, visit the festival's web site.
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